The Definitive Guide to The Tascam DA-88 and DTRS-Format Recorders

This is a "real world" manual for DTRS format recorders (Tascam DA-88, DA-78HR et al), designed to summarize the most important facts necessary to using this system, and to explain candidly what the manufacturers have not. Tascam has created a great format but like any recording medium, there are tricks to using it efficiently. So, I've summarized my findings for fellow engineers and studios (it's around 11,000 words so far). This should flatten the learning curve for those new to the format and provide further insight for everyone. It's designed as a more readable complement to the original Tascam manuals, which are no longer available on Tascam's website.

I have a few original manuals for download (at the bottom of this page); others might be available for purchase through Tascam's parts department.

When I first invested in this format in 1993, my aim was to use it for remote multitrack recording, and the length of tape alone was a big factor in my decision. Since then, it has proven to sound great and perform reliably. The format has become widely adopted by the video post-production community and has spawned many offspring including 24-bit machines.

Of course all great things must come to an end. As of 2007, the DTRS format is finally in decline. It is still used in video post-production and remote recording environments, but many music-only recording studios have moved on to hard drive recorders. Tape is still available, but not as easy to find.

The eight chapters that follow describe almost everything about these recorders. I hope this helps you make great recordings!

- Tony Brooke, silentway.com

For further reference: the DA-88 Manual, the original SY-88 manual, the SY-88 v4 supplement, the DA-78HR manual, the DA-78HR QuickStart guide, the RC-848 remote v4 manual, the RC-898 remote manual, and the DSub pinout.

This entire guide is Copyright © 2010 Silent Way. Unauthorized reuse is prohibited.

The chapters in the guide: